Poignant moment
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Late last night, I was home when a salesperson knocked on my door (which I don’t enjoy). On opening the door, a skinny unhealthy looking lady straightforwardly said: ‘I’m selling these pens which cost more than what you would get at the bookshops, because I couldn't get them at a wholesale price’. Immediately, I was disarmed. She smelled like she had been out for a long time. I asked: ‘Why are you selling these pens?’. She replied: ‘Cos I need to earn some money, and I couldn't find a job because I have a eye problem (glaucoma which causes partial to complete blindness)’. I instantly retrieved $5 for two pens. She looked visibly relieved.
I walked to my wife (who was still working in the study room), and recounted to her. I felt sorry for her, and started to calculate how much she could earn from selling those pens, at a slightly higher price. Not much. I then wondered: ‘What happens if she can’t sell them all?’. May end up making a loss. A small sceptical side in me emerged: ‘What if she was a con-woman?’. I shrugged: ‘How much did she con me of? $5?’. I remembered my mum telling me, that if people conned you of small amounts, let them; they may very well have a reason for conning others. Profound. Me and my wife felt that humane moment, and went to bed rather nicely.
I walked to my wife (who was still working in the study room), and recounted to her. I felt sorry for her, and started to calculate how much she could earn from selling those pens, at a slightly higher price. Not much. I then wondered: ‘What happens if she can’t sell them all?’. May end up making a loss. A small sceptical side in me emerged: ‘What if she was a con-woman?’. I shrugged: ‘How much did she con me of? $5?’. I remembered my mum telling me, that if people conned you of small amounts, let them; they may very well have a reason for conning others. Profound. Me and my wife felt that humane moment, and went to bed rather nicely.
Jacqueline on 9:34 PM